Abstract
Objective: to review non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) and impact on workload.
Design: retrospective analysis of ICU database and case notes.
Setting: six-bedded ICU in large district general hospital
Subjects: all patients admitted to ICU in one calendar year.
Interventions: none.
Endpoints: number of days spent in ICU, days requiring ventilatory and renal support.
Measurements and main results: Three hundred and twenty-four patients admitted to ICU. Twelve patients with NSAID-related problems (3.7%). Seventy-five per cent of patients with NSAID-related problems had documented contraindications to their use. These patients were significantly older, required significantly longer periods of renal support and tended to require longer stays in ICU.
Conclusion: NSAID-related admissions to ICU have a significant impact on ICU workload.
Clinical Intensive Care 2003, 14 (3–4): 119–121
Clinical Intensive Care 2003, 14 (3–4): 119–121